Mechanical device for reducing blood clotting in legs



V. GUREWICH May 9, 1967 MECHANICAL DEVICE FOR REDUCING BLOOD CLOTTING INLEGS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 18, 1963 INVENTOR VLADIMIR GUREWICH/ATTORNEY f M, W ////V y 1967 v. GUREWICH 3,318,304

EVICE FOR REDUCING BLOOD CLOTTING IN LEGS MECHANICAL D Filed Se t. 18,1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 R O T N E V N VLADIMIR GUREWICH M ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent Office 3,318,304 Patented May 9, 1967 3,318,304MECHANICAL DEVICE FOR REDUCING BLOOD CLOTTING IN LEGS Vladimir Gurewich,1165 Park Ave., New York, N.Y. 10028 Filed Sept. 18, 1963, Ser. No.309,713 13 Claims. (Cl. 12825) This invention relates to a mechanicaldevice for reducing blood clotting in legs and more particularly to afoot and leg exerciser for reducing blood clotting in legs. Mostparticularly the present invention relates to a power operated foot andleg exerciser which is adapted to oscillate the feet of a bedriddenpatient in order to operate the calf pumps and thereby reduce bloodclotting in the patients legs.

It has been recognized since the 1940s that post-operative and otherbedridden patients show a marked tendency to form blood clots in thelower legs due to the stagnation of leg blood flow. Such clottingcarries the danger of fatal pulmonary embolism and of chronic pulmonaryhypertension. In post-operative patients, it has been believed up untilrecently that walking reduces this danger. However, recent studies tendto discount the prophylactic value of early ambulism as far asprevention of thrombosis is concerned. An example of such studies isthat of N. L. Browse, British Medical Journal, 1962, 32, 1721.

It is also well recognized that the alternate flexing and relaxing ofthe calf muscles serves as a pump for the venous blood flow in the leg.As good blood flow is the antithesis of blood stagnation, operation ofthe calf pump shows a strong tendency to combat clotting.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide anapparatus attachable to a hospital bed, which apparatus will cause theflexing and relaxing of the calf muscles to thus operate the calf pumpand reduce blood stagnation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus foroscillating the feet of a patient to cause the flexing and relaxing ofthe calf muscles to thus operate the calf pump and reduce bloodstagnation.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide an apparatuswhich is readily attachable to a bed and which is detachably connectedto the feet of a bedridden patient for oscillating the feet whereby toflex and relax the calf muscles to operate the calf pumps and thusreduce blood stagnation in the legs.

The foregoing object and other features and advantages of this inventionare attained by a foot exerciser comprising essentially a base forsupporting the same on the mattress of a bed. Means in the form ofadjustable positioning bars are provided to effect adjustment of theexerciser to a given patient or bed. A foot pedal, including means forsecuring ones foot thereto is pivotally connected to the base. A poweroperated means carried' on the base is operatively connected to the footpedal so as to forceably induce the leg and foot of a patient securedthereto to be exercised in a manner to enhance circulation of the bloodthrough the leg. Means are also provided to effect independentadjustment of both the stroke and speed of the foot pedal.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision that the bodyexerciser is relatively simple in construction, can be readilyfabricated, and is positive in operation.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision that both thestroke and speed of the exerciser can be controlled by a singleadjustment.

Still another feature of this invention resides in the provision thatthe exerciser can be readily adjusted to the size of the patient or tothe bed.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent whenconsidered in view of the drawings, and the specification in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of the body exerciser of thisinvention shown in an operative position adjacent the foot end of a bed;

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevation view of the exerciser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the exerciser of FIG. 1; and

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation view of a modified form of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown the foot and leg exerciser 10of this invention. The exerciser 10 comprises essentially a base memberor plate 11 which forms the support for the exerciser 10 on the mattress12 of a bed. Accordingly the exerciser 10 is located adjacent the footend 13 of the bed. Pivotally connected to each side of the base plate 11and adjacent to the front end thereof is a positioning bar 14 by whichthe base of exerciser is secured to the foot rail 13A of a bed. In theillustrated embodiment, each of the positioning bars 14 comprises a pairof nested, telescoping members 14A, 148 which are suitably extended andretracted to adjust the position of the exerciser 10 with respect to thefoot of the bed or patient, as the case may be.

Means in the form of sleeve or coupler 15 is utilized to fixedly securethe nested sections 14A, 14B of the positioning bars 14 in theiradjusted position.

As shown, one end of each positioning bar 14 is pivotally connected tothe side edge of the base plate 11. The other end of the positioning bar14 has connected thereto a split clamp 16 by which it is secured to theupper rail 13A of the foot end of the bed. A suitable screw means 17 isprovided for securing the split clamp 16 to the frame of the bed.

An adjustable strut 18 is interconnected between each of the positioningbars 14 intermediate the ends thereof and the base plate 11. As shown,the respective struts 18, like the positioning bars, are formed ofnested telescoping tubular members 18A, 18B which can be fixedlyadjusted with respect to one another by means of a friction clamp orsleeve 19. Each strut 18 is pivoted at one end to an intermediateportion of its corresponding positioning bar and is pivoted at its otherend to the side of the base plate 11 adjacent the rear end thereof.

A foot pedal 20 is hingedly connected to the front end of the base plateby a suitable hinge construction 21. The arrangement of the foot pedal20 is such that it can pivot about its hinge with a to and fro movement.As best seen in FIG. 2, the foot pedal 20 comprises a single plate towhich both feet of a patient are secured. Means in the form of straps 22are provided for securing each foot of the patient to the foot pedal 20.If desired, a floating heel support 23 may be provided to position thepersons foot with reference thereto.

The means for power operating the foot pedal, as disclosed in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 comprises an electro-mechanica'l linearactuator or solenoid 24 which has a reciprocating plunger 25. As shownone end of the solenoid or actuator is pivotally mounted about a pivot26 on a fixed bracket 27. The free end of the plunger is pivotallyconnected to the foot pedal by means of a pin 28 inserted throughaligned apertures in the end of the plunger 25 and a bifurcated lug 29secured to the foot pedal 20. Suitable control means 30 are connected incircuit with the electro-magnetic linear actuator or solenoid to controlthe speed of the plunger and foot pedal connected thereto. Also, means31 are provided for adjusting the stroke of the plunger.

With the exerciser described, a patient recovering from a surgicaloperation can be exercised without requiring the patient to leave hisbed. This is attained by positioning the' patient on his bed so that hisfeet can be readily secured to'the foot pedal 20 in a manner so that inthe non-operative position of the device, the patients knees areslightly flexed. Therefore, upon energizing the electro-mechanicallinear actuator 24, the pedal 20 connected to the plunger thereof isforcibly oscillated in a continuous and uniform back and forth movement.Such movement will cause the patients legs to be exercised in a mannerwhich will enhance circulation of the blood through the legs of thepatient. By; properly controlling both the speed and stroke of theplunger 25 .of the actuator 24, the movement of the foot pedal 20 can beregulated accordingly so as to attain maximum benefit with minimumuncomfort. Once the exerciser has been adjusted to a given patient andthe actuator energized, the presence of an attendant is no longernecessary.

If desired, a suitable means for timing the duration of the actuator 24may be incorporated in the circuit controlling the same.

While the embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIGS. 1 to 3discloses .a foot .pedal 20 in which the patients two feet are securedto a single pedal so as to require that both feet be moved in unison, itwill be apparent that if desired, the foot pedal may be made in twoparts, each actuated by its own actuating means so as to alternatelyoscillate the same so that one leg extends as the other leg of thepatient is. being flexed.

FIGURE 4 illustrates a modified embodiment of the invention. In thisform of the invention, the exerciser 40 comprises a base plate 41 whichis adjusted to the bed 42 or the patientby means of the positioning bars43 and supporting studs 43 similar to the corresponding constructiondescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. Pivotally connected .to thefront end of the base plate 41 is a foot pedal 44 to which the patientsfoot is secured. In this form of the invention, a broad foot strap 45 isprovided for securing each foot of the patient to the foot pedal.

The actuating means 46 in this form of the invention comprises anelectric motor 47 which is energized by any suitable electrical powersource. Connected to the arma ture or spindle 48 of the motor 47 is adrive means in the form of a wheel 49 fixed to rotate with the motorspindle 48. An actuating arm 50 or linkis interconnected between thedrive Wheel 49 and the pedal 44. The link 50 has one end pivotallyconnected-to the foot pedal and has its other end connectedeccentrically to the wheel 49. It will therefore be noted that uponenergizing of the motor 47, the rotation of the wheel 49 connected tothe motor spindle 48 will impart an oscillatory motion to the actuat-.ing arm 50 which translates the rotary motion of the drive wheel 49 intoan oscillation motion to rock the foot pedal to and fro.

Means in the form of a co-operating slot and pin connection may beprovided between the drive wheel 49 and the link 50 so as to adjustablycontrol the stroke and/or speed of the foot pedal. By radially adjustingthe connecting pin 51 of the link 50 in the radial slot 52 of the wheel49, the speed of the foot pedal 44 can be controlled accordingly.

A longitudinally extending slot 53 in the end of the actuating arm 50 isutilized for adjusting the stroke of the foot pedal. This is readilyattained by positioning the pin 51 along the link slot 53. Thus inoperation energization of the motor will cause the rotary motion of thedrive wheel 'to be translated through the connecting link 50to anoscillating movement of the foot pedal 44 so that the legs and feet ofthe patient connected thereto will be forcibly exercised to stimulatethe circulationor pumping of the blood through the legs of the patient.From the foregoing, the body exercisers 10, 40 constructed in accordancewith this invention are relatively 4 simple in construction, positive inoperation and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. The exercisers canbe readily adjusted to suit the needs of the patient without requiringthe patient to be removed from his bed. Further, the utilization of theexercisers of this invention will greatly increase the efiiciency withwhich experienced hospital personnel can be utilized.

While the instant invention has been described in detail with referenceto several embodiments thereof, it will be understood that variationsand modifications thereof may be practiced without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a bed, a power operated foot exerciser forinducing blood flow in the leg of a patient confined to the bedcomprising,

(a) a base plate,

(b) means for connecting said base plate adjacent the foot of the bed,

(c) an upwardly extending foot pedal,

(d) means for securing a foot of the patient to said foot pedal,

(e) horizontal pivot means extending perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the bed for connecting said foot pedal to said base plate toimpart oscillatory movement to said foot without imparting substantialoscillatory movement to the leg of the patient,

(f) actuating means for pivoting said foot pedal about said pivot means,and

(g) power means for driving said actuating means.

2. The combination of claim 1, further comprising means for securing theother foot of said patient to said foot pedal.

3. The combination of claim 1, further comprising means for adjustablypositioing said base plate along said longitudinal axis of said bed.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said power meansincludes:

(a) an electro-mechanical linear actuator having a reciprocatingplunger, and

(b) said plunger having its free end connected to said foot pedalwhereupon actuation of said plunger effects to and fro movement ofsaid'foot pedal about its pivot.

15. The invention as definedin claim 4 and including,

(a) means for controlling the speed of said acuator.

6. The invention as defined in claim 4 and including,

(a) means to control the stroke of said plunger.

7.'The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said power meansincludes:

(a) means to control the speed of said plunger, and

(b) means for adjusting the stroke of said plunger.

8. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said power meansincludes:

(a) an electric motorhaving a spindle,

(b) a driving means connected to the spindle of said motor to rotatetherewith,

(c) a link interconnecting said. driving means to said foot pedal,

(d) said link having one end pivotally connected to said foot pedal andhaving its other end eccentrically pivoted to said driving means wherebyrotation of said drive means is translated into an oscillating movementof said foot pedal through said link. 9. A power operated exerciser foruse in bed compris- (a) a base plate adapted to rest on a mattress of abed adjacent the foot end thereof, (b) a pair of positioning bars, (c)means pivotally connecting one end of said positioning bars to said baseplate, (d) means connecting the other end of said positioning bars tothe foot board of a bed, (e) a strut interconnected between each of saidpositioning bars and said base plate, said strut being pivotallyconnected at one end to an intermediate portion of said positioning barand pivotally connected at its other end to said base plate,

(f) a food pedal hingedly connected to the forward edge of said baseplate,

(g) strap means for securing a foot of a person lying in bed to saidpedal,

(h) actuating means for oscillating said pedal with ones foot securedthereto about its hinged connection,

(i) said actuating means including a motor with rotating spindle,

(j) a driving wheel connected to the spindle of said motor to rotatetherewith, and

(k) a link interconnecting said foot pedal and said driving wheel, oneend of said link being pivotally connected to said foot pedal and theother end of said link being eccentrically connected to said 'wheelwhereby the rotary motion of said wheel is translated into anoscillating motion of said foot pedal to forcibly effect the exercisingof the person having his foot secured to said pedal.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 including:

(a) means to adjust both the speed and the stroke of said foot pedal.

11. A power operated foot and leg exerciser particularly useful in bedby post-operative patients comprising,

(a) a base plate adapted to rest on a mattress of a bed adjacent thefoot end thereof,

(b) a pair of extensible ositioning bars,

(c) means pivotally connecting one end of said extensible positioningbars to said base plate,

(d) means pivotally connecting the other end of said extensiblepositioning bars to the foot board of a bed,

(e) means for eifecting adjustment of the length of said extensiblepositioning bars,

(f) means for positively securing said extensible bars in the adjustedposition thereof,

(g) an extensible strut interconnecting each of said positioning bars tosaid base plate, said extensible strut being pivotally connected at oneend thereof to an intermediate portion of said extensible positioningbar, and pivotally connected at its other end to said base plate,

(h) means for securing the length of the struts in their respectiveextended positions,

(i) a foot pedal hingedly connected to the leading edge of said baseplate,

(j) strap means for securing a foot of a person lying in bed to saidpedal,

(k) actuating means for reciprocating said pedal with ones foot securedthereto about its hinged connection,

(1) said actuating means including a motor,

(m) a driving wheel connected to said motor, said wheel having a radialslot formed therein,

(11) a link interconnecting said foot pedal and said driving wheel, oneend of said link being pivotally connected to said foot pedal,

(0) a pin adjustably positioned in said slot for conmeeting the otherend of said link eccentrically on said wheel whereby the rotary motionof said wheel is translated into a reciprocating motion of said footpedal to forcibly effect the exercising of the person having his footsecured to said pedal, and the adjustment of said pin connection in saidslot varies the speed of said foot pedal accordingly.

12. The invention as defined in claim 11 wherein,

(a) said link is provided with an elongated slot for receiving said pinso that by adjusting said pin along said slot, the stroke of the footpedal is rendered adjustable accordingly.

13. A power operated foot and leg exerciser for use in bed bypost-operative patients comprising,

(a) a base plate adapted to rest on a mattress of a bed adjacent thefoot end thereof,

(b) a pair of extensible positioning bars, each of said bars beingformed of nested telescoping members, (0) means pivotally connecting oneend of each of said extensible positioning bars to the side edge of saidbase plate,

(d) split clamp means connected to the other end of said positioningbars for connecting the same to the foot frame of a bed,

(e) means for securing the adjusted length of said extensiblepositioning bars, said latter means including an adjustment sleeve,

(f) an extensible strut of nested members interconnecting each of saidpositioning bars to said base plate, said strut being pivotallyconnected at one end to an intermediate portion of said positioning barand pivotally connected at its other end to said base plate,

(g) means for fixing the adjusted length of the respective struts,

(h) a foot pedal hingedly connected to the forward edge of said baseplate,

(i) strap means for securing a foot of a person lying in bed to saidpedal,

(j) actuating means for reciprocating said pedal about its hingedconnection with ones foot secured thereto,

(k) said actuating means including an electro-mechanical linear actuatorhaving a reciprocating plunger,

(1) said plunger having its free end connected to said foot pedal,

(m) means for controlling the speed of said actuator,

(11) and means for adjusting the stroke of said plunger.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,096,646 10/1937 Thornton-Norris 128-25 2,226,609 12/1940 Hapman 128-49 X 2,664,8861/1954 Coffman 2,674,242 4/1954 Bierman 12825 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,073,9043/1954 7 France.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner. AW ENCE W- TRAPP, Examiner.

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A BED, A POWER OPERATED FOOT EXERCISER FORINDUCING BLOOD FLOW IN THE LEG OF A PATIENT CONFINED TO THE BEDCOMPRISING, (A) A BASE PLATE, (B) MEANS FOR CONNECTING SAID BASE PLATEADJACENT THE FOOT OF THE BED, (C) AN UPWARDLY EXTENDING FOOT PEDAL, (D)MEANS FOR SECURING A FOOT OF THE PATIENT TO SAID FOOT PEDAL, (E)HORIZONTAL PIVOT MEANS EXTENDING PERPENDICULAR TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXISOF THE BED FOR CONNECTING SAID FOOT PEDAL TO SAID BASE PLATE TO IMPARTOSCILLATORY MOVEMENT TO SAID FOOT WITHOUT IMPARTING SUBSTANTIALOSCILLATORY MOVEMENT TO THE LEG OF THE PATIENT,